Sustainable Perspectives

Food waste can happen at all levels, from production on the farm, to the retail level, to individual consumers. But the good news is, there are several ways to decrease food waste, which can save you money and be kinder to the environment at the same time.

Utilizing the CUSG Energy and Climate Fund, the Environmental Center and Green Labs set out to replace the three most energy-intensive ultra low temperature (ULT) freezers on campus with new, top performing energy-efficient ULT freezers. After looking at what was available on the market, Green Labs proposed and purchased three...

Living an eco-conscious lifestyle rather than one of consumerism is essential to lower your carbon footprint and demonstrate dedication to sustainability. You can consider how your actions impact the environment and your overall well-being and determine if you want to make changes. Break the convenience habit Convenience products, like takeout...

Recycling is a tricky process that takes practice and vigilance since guidelines are often changing. According to EcoCycle , Boulder’s recycling company, there are some items that regularly contaminate their recycling machines. On campus, the Grounds and Recycling Operations Center (GROC) sorts through recycling to process them and ensure their...

When considering climate change mitigation and reducing your carbon footprint, you probably think of driving less and turning out the lights. But did you know that organic and inorganic waste is also a massive contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions? A zero-waste lifestyle keeps material out of landfills and reduces...

Compost is the natural process of recycling organic matter into a nutrient-rich fertilizer. It is a significant part of the waste system that aids in fighting the climate crisis.

Thrifting goes hand in hand with a sustainable lifestyle. With Americans throwing away over 13 million tons of clothing each year, fast fashion and overconsumption lead to excess waste in landfills, carbon emissions from textile manufacturing and depletion of resources. Thrifting promotes sustainability by diverting clothing from landfills for reuse...

It takes more than 1,000 years for plastic to decompose. Every plastic bottle, straw and container ever thrown away is still intact and somewhere on earth. The plastic problem affects every part of the planet, from the top of Mount Everest to the bottom of the Marianas Trench. What is...

Earth Day began in 1970 as more people in the United States and across the globe became aware of the environmental impact caused by humans. Before the 1970’s, many people considered air and water pollution a normal and expected part of life. Celebrating Earth Day each year is vital because...

I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, but a passion for sustainability drew me halfway across the country to CU Boulder. When I arrived here, I thought I had it all figured out. I recycled all my papers and plastics, used reusable containers and thrifted most of my clothes. However, shortly...